Charlotte Hanley-Jacobson

I felt like I was the only person who didn't like this book - I mean, it's getting so much press! But then I checked out some other reviews on this site, and was very happily surprised to see that many reviewers also found it insipid. I think I would have loved this series when I was 15, but now at 35 with the benefit of hindsight, I wouldn't even recommend it to that age group. The message seems to be that it's fine to put your boyfriend (of only a few weeks) ahead of your family, friends, safety, etc.

I wish GoodReads had half stars - I was torn between “it was ok” and “liked it”. I felt like I gained a new perspective on the ongoing crises in the Middle East, one that is different from the daily stories in major American news outlets. I also learned a lot about King Hussein, and he sounds like a really amazing, compassionate, smart person. So I enjoyed those aspects of the book. Plus, it was fun reading about their royal existence. But on the down side, the book was far too detailed. I got the impression that Queen Noor didn't want to leave anything (or anyone) out, for fear of offense. I think all those years of living with strict protocol got to her.

I somewhat enjoyed the other two books in this series, so I started this one as a fun summer read. I can't even come close to finishing it. When you read “He was a sensual man whom pleasure did not frighten. Pleasure did not frighten her, either. They saw that in each other. It was like a promise between them” and you still have over 500 pages to go, you know it's time to call it quits.

I am familiar with most of the information and arguments in this book, but I still enjoyed it. It reinforces what I already believe, but sometimes find hard to practice - eat more plants than meat and dairy, and cut out as many processed food as possible. Bittman's twist is doing this in moderation - eat basically vegan for breakfast and lunch (or any 2 meals) and then feel free to consume animal products and alcohol at dinner. I am trying to stick to it - perhaps easier for me than most, as I eat mostly vegetarian all the time. But cutting out cheese during the day is hard. And my usual two-martini lunch as well.

An interesting topic, although I think it could have been broken into more than one book. At times I felt like I was reading Bill Bryson, as Michael Pollen can be very funny and self-deprecating. Other sections were meticulously researched, and could form their own book. However, it is worthwhile - and really a must-read for anyone interested in food and where it comes from. I do have to say though, I was a bit offended at his portrayal of vegetarians. Our decisions not to eat meat should not be taken as a cop-out, as Pollen seems to suggest!